Principles of Energy Efficient Construction and their Influence on the Seismic Resistance of Light-weight Buildings

Abstract

Abstract:Recently, an increasing trend of passive and low-energy buildings transferring from non earthquake-prone to earthquake-prone regions has thrown out the question about the seismic safety of such buildings. The paper describes the most commonly used details of energy efficient construction, which could be critical from the point of view of earthquake resistance. The paper focuses on the prevention of ground floor slab thermal bridge and presents a case study on the seismic response of multi-storey wooden buildings founded on the RC foundation slab lying on a thermal insulation (TI) layer made of extruded polystyrene (XPS). The structural response is investigated with reference to the following performance parameters: the building's lateral top displacement, the ductility demand of the superstructure, the friction coefficient demand, the maximum compressive stress in the TI layer and the percentage of the uplifted foundation. A comparison between the response of models founded on a fixed base and models founded on a layer of TI with the same wooden crosslam structure differing in the number of storeys, strength capacity and subjected to earthquakes with different levels of seismic intensity is done. Regarding the building's top displacements, the maximum compressive deformation in the TI layer, and the percentage of the uplifted foundation, the results have shown that the potentially negative influences of inserting the TI under the foundation slab could be expected only for high-rise buildings subjected to severe earthquakes. Oppositely, for the superstructure's ductility demand and for the friction coefficient demand it was demonstrated that the largest demands could be expected in the case of low-rise buildings. The control of friction coefficient demand, which was recognized as critical parameter for analyzed wooden buildings, has shown that the capacity value could be exceeded yet in the case of moderate earthquake occurrence.

Seismic Aspects of the Application of Thermal Insulation Boards Beneath the Foundations of Buildings

“…The models showing elastic behaviour were investigated in order to determine the maximum response of the foundation demand parameters such as the base displacement (D base ), whereas the nonlinear superstructure models were used for comparison of the superstructure demand parameters, such as the ductility demand (δ d ). It should be noted that such a selection was made according to [48,49], where it was shown that elastic models yield maximum base engineering demand parameters (EDPs), whereas inelastic models yield maximum superstructure EDPs. The seismic response of the structural models was evaluated by means of nonlinear time-history analyses considering a set of 30 real ground motion records (GMRs), which were selected so that they matched the target spectrum for stiff soil sites (soil type A in EC8 [50]), with 5% damping and a seismic intensity of 0.25 g. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were performed for each selected GMR, with a variation step of 0.02 g up to a maximum seismic intensity of 1.0 g. Uni-directional dynamic analysis was adopted, which was best suited to the available results of the uni-directional experimental tests of the XPS material [31].…”

Impact of Energy Efficient Construction Details on Seismic Resistance of Passive Buildings

“…In such cases the expected top accelerations of the structure could increase by a factor of two or three in comparison with a structure on a fixed base. Such an increase could lead to damage to the superstructure or its content, which should not be ignored [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. However, if the fundamental period of the superstructure is already on the plateau of constant accelerations, the insertion of TI under the foundation slab might prolong the structural period into the descending Proc.…”

“…1). An extensive description and schematic representation of other building structural details that might Vojko KILAR, Boris AZINOVIĆ and David KOREN University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture Slovenia be critical from the point of view of earthquake resistance can be found in [1]. It has been therefore suggested, that the suitability of such details and technical solutions should be first verified from the viewpoint of their earthquake resistance before they are used in buildings in earthquakeprone areas.…”

Evaluation of Various Retrofitting Concepts of Building Envelope for Offices Equipped with Large Radiant Ceiling Panels by Dynamic Simulations

“…For this reason, effective retrofitting concepts, which should include newly developed or modified and upgraded technologies, as well as new design concepts, need to be developed and their validity confirmed [4][5][6]. It should be mentioned that these technologies should also be considered from the seismic engineering point of view, since certain elements could influence the dynamic stability of a structure [7,8]. The specific properties and energy efficiency of such new technologies, as well as their design concepts, can be evaluated by the performance of different kinds of tests, especially when such measurements are combined with real case demonstrations [9][10][11][12][13].…”